"I do not know," I said, troubled. "Walter Butler may know something of the Book of Rites, because he was raised up in place of some dead Delaware dog!--" I clinched my hand, and stood silent in angry meditation. Lifting my eyes I saw Hamilton watching me, amazed, interested, delighted.
"I ask your indulgence," I said, embarrassed, "but when I think of the insolence of that fellow--and that he dared call me brother and claim clan kindred with a Wolf--the yellow Delaware mongrel!--" I laughed, glancing shamefacedly at Colonel Hamilton.
"In another moment," I said, "you will doubt there is white blood in me. It is strange how faithfully I cling to that dusky foster-mother, the nation that adopted me. I was but a lad, Colonel Hamilton, and what the Oneidas saw in me, or believed they saw, I never have accurately learned--I do not really know to this day!--but when a war-chief died they came to my father, asking that he permit them to adopt me and raise me up. The ceremony took place. I, of course, never lived with them--never even left my own roof--but I was adopted into the Wolf Clan, the noble clan of the Iroquois. And--I have never forgotten it--nor them. What touches an Oneida touches me!"
He nodded gravely, watching me with bright eyes.
"To-day the Long House is not the Five Nations," I continued. "The Tuscaroras are the Sixth Nation; the Delawares now have come in, and have been accepted as the Seventh Nation. But, as you know, the Long House is split. The Onondagas are sullenly neutral--or say they are--the Mohawks, Cayugas, Senecas, are openly leagued against us; the Oneidas alone are with us--what is left of them after the terrible punishment they received from the Mohawks and Senecas."
"And now you say that the Iroquois have determined to punish the Oneidas again?"
"Yes, sir, to annihilate them for espousing our cause. And," I added contemptuously, "Walter Butler dared believe that I would sit idle and never lift a warning finger. True, I am first of all a Wolf--but next am I an Oneida. And, as I may not sit in national council with my clan to raise my voice against this punishment, and, as the Long House is rent asunder forever, why, sir, I am an Oneida first of all--after my allegiance to my own country--and I shall so conduct that Walter Butler and the Delaware dogs of a cleft and yellow clan will remember that when an Oneida speaks, they remain silent, they obey!"
I began to pace the chamber, arms folded, busy with my thoughts. Hamilton sat buried in meditation for a space. Finally he arose, extending his hand with that winning frankness so endearing to all. I asked him to dine with us, but he excused himself, pleading affairs of moment.